Gir Forest, located in southern Saurastra in Gujarat - the west most state of India, is the last home of Asiatic Lions(Panthera leo persica). An area of 1412 Sq. Kms. provides home for about 307 lions, 268 leopards, 137 hyenas, 32000 deer and about 30 other mammals and 24 species of reptiles. The forest is of dry, deciduous type which remains green during monsoon only, and otherwise provides a matching color of lion's skin. The most important aspect of the Gir is that it has become a very stable ecosystem with tremendous regenerating, self-supporting and sustaining power due to its rich and diverse fauna and flora.

LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY

Gir lies between 20 40'N and 21 50'N latitude and 70 50'E and 71 50'E longitudes. The land configuration is mainly undulating with moderate hills, valleys and plateau, without definite direction of hill ranges. Northern parts are more hilly, while southern part is relatively less hilly, with general drainage direction being south and south-west.

The hills are of volcanic origin. The main geological formation is Daccan trap and main rock types are Dolomite and Basalt. Beside sand stones, lime stones and metamorphic cshist are also present.

CLIMATE

Gir has tropical monsoon climate, which is very hot during the summer. Three seasons: summer, winter and monsoon are clearly distinct. Late November to early March is the cool dry followed by hot dry season. The temperature drops down to about 10C in winter and rises to about 43C in summer. Mid June to September is the monsoon period and bulk of precipitation is received during July and August. Rainfall data of past 28 years received at Kamaleshwer Dam shows that the average rainfall is 1000mm. Due to irregular monsoon and uneven distribution of rainfall, drought years are not uncommon.

Winter season-November to March, is the best season to visit the Gir. However, the sanctuary and National Park remains open through out the year.

WATER RESOURCES

Gir forms the catchment of seven perennial rivers viz. Hiran, Saraswati, Datardi, Shingoda, Machhundri, Ghodavadi and Rawal. Northern part of sanctuary forms the catchment area of Shetrunji river flowing outside sanctuary area. All these major rivers of Gir have parennial water supply except during sever famine years. During peak summer, surface water for wild animal is available at only about 300 water points. In order to tap the water resources 4 dams have been constructed each along Hiran, Machhundri, Rawal and Shingoda.

During draughts, surface water is not available even in majority of these points. Water scarcity is a serious problem in eastern Gir during draughts. To ensure the availability of water during peak summer is one of the major task of forest staff.

FAUNA

The unique ecosystem of Gir harbivours about 32 species of mammals, around 300 species of birds, 26 species of reptiles, and more than 2000 species of insects. (Here is a list of mammals and reptiles found in Gir)

The main carnivorous of the Gir are the Asiatic lion, leopard, jungle cat, hyena, jackal, mongoose, civet cat, and ratel. Desert cats and Rusty spotted cats are very rare. The main herbivores of the Gir are Chital, Nilgay, Sambar, Four horned antelope, Chinkara and Wild boar. In the adjoining area of Gir forest, small population of Blackbuck are also found.

Among the smaller mammals, porcupine and hare are common but Pnagolin is rare. The reptilian fauna is represented by crocodile, the star tortoise, the monitor lizard and number of species of snacks. Python is also found some times along stream banks. It is worth mentioning that highest population of Marsh crocodiles in one region is found in Gir forest.

The avifauna(birds) is represented in plenty by more than 300 species of birds. It is said that if there were not any lion in Gir, then the forest would be known for its diverse and colorful bird species. Most of the species are resident and not migrator. The main scavenger bird is the vulture of which about 6 species have been recorded. Some of the typical birds of Gir are Crested Serpent Eagle, Bonnalis Eagle, Crested Hawk Eagle, King Vulture, Brown Fish Owl, Great Horned Owl, Bush Quail, Pygmy Woodpacker, Black Headed Oriole, Crested Swift and Indian Pitta. Grey Hornbill is now extinct from the area.

Also visit the wildlife census data of previous years.

FOREST TYPE

Gir is a dry, deciduous teak forest. Sampatau and Raijada(1955) have recoreded more than 400 plant species in the Gir forest. Based on revised classification of forest type by Champion and Sheth(1968), 22 forest sub types have been recognized in Gujarat, out of which, main composition of Gir forest are Dry Deciduous Teak forest, Dry Thorn forest, Savanah, Shrub land etc. Accacia-Zizyphus woodland is ideal habitat for lions and ungulates. Eastern Gir is dominated by Accacia senegal woodland, while dry teak forest is predominant vegetation of western Gir.

Accacia senegal woodland: The Predominant vegitation of Eastern Gir	Dry teak forest: The Predominant vegetation of Western Gir
Southern Thorn forest of Gir	Dry savannah forest during monsoon

Click here fore more forest pictures.